Container for Improved Beverage Identification System and Method of Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A system and method for dispensing a beverage into a container are provided. The system includes a liquid dispensing machine having a dispensing area capable of receiving a container, and a scanner adjacent to the dispensing area for use with the container. The container is capable of being placed in the dispensing area and includes an annular barcode indicia extending around an exterior surface of the container and centered around a generally vertical axis of the container. The scanner can read the annular barcode indicia when the container is placed in the dispensing area at any rotational orientation relative to the scanner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application comprises a divisional of U.S. Non Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 12/370,782, filed Feb. 13, 2009, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/028,579 filed Feb.14, 2008 titled “Improved Beverage Identification System,” the contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method foridentifying beverages in a vending situation. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to a system and method that incorporateannular barcode indicia on beverage containers to identify the type andvolume of beverage associated with a particular container so that thebeverage can be vended.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, many convenience stores have sold beverages using aself-service arrangement in which the consumer uses an automated machineto dispense a desired beverage. The consumer can pay for his purchase bytaking the container filled with his desired beverage to the register.Typical beverages dispensed in connection with these types ofself-service arrangements can include coffee, specialty cappuccino orespresso drinks, cold drinks, and the like, for example.

When a consumer wants to purchase a beverage that is dispensed using aself-service arrangement, the consumer must first decide on the type andquantity of beverage to purchase. Then, the consumer must locate theappropriate cup or container, which may depend on the type and quantityof beverage selected. The consumer must appropriately position the cupor container relative to the dispensing machine and push a button orotherwise instruct the machine to dispense the selected beverage.

Once a consumer has appropriately filled a cup or otherwise caused thecup to be filled with the desired amount of the selected beverage, hemust take the beverage to the cashier or vending location and then,depending on the type of cup used and the beverage held therein,verbally identify the type of beverage in the container to a storeclerk. In many stores, the store clerk must manually enter the price ofthe consumer's purchase into the cash register machine to determine thetotal amount of money owed, including any other purchases and applicabletaxes or fees, to allow the consumer to complete the purchase.

While self-service beverage dispensing arrangements offer some obviousadvantages to both the consumer and the store, there are alsodisadvantages associated with such arrangements. For example, knownself-service arrangements do not provide a system or method to charge aconsumer different prices for different beverages unless the consumervoluntarily discloses his selected beverage. For example, cups for sodaare generally different than cups for coffee, which are often differentfrom cups for frozen drinks. However, a user can, either by mistake oron purpose, select the wrong cup for a particular beverage. Depending onthe opacity of a cup and often its lid, it is often not possible todetermine what beverage is in the cup. This permits a dishonest consumerto choose a more expensive beverage and report that he has a lessexpensive beverage to the cashier. Many stores and depots attempt tosolve this problem by selling beverages based on only the amount ofbeverage purchased. That is, the size and type of the cup used inconnection with a self-service dispensing machine determines the price.However, it may be advantageous for a store to sell certain premiumbeverages at a higher price point.

Furthermore, often there is little, if any, employee supervision overthe self-service beverage dispensing process. Stores or depots thatprovide self-service beverage dispensing arrangements and machines aretraditionally designed as low-cost profit centers. That is, often onlyone or two employees are working in the store at any given time, and theemployees are often too busy totaling prices and accepting payment atthe register to supervise a self-service beverage dispensing machine.

The lack of employee supervision can lead to opportunities in which aconsumer obtains a higher priced beverage from a machine, but only paysfor a lower priced beverage. The cups or containers used in connectionwith self-service beverage dispensing machines are often visuallyindistinguishable from one another regardless of what beverage isdispensed therein. Because different beverages can have various pricepoints, often consumers will fill a cup with a high-cost beverage eventhough the cup is intended for a low-cost beverage. At the register, theconsumer can then misinform the store clerk as to the cup's contents sothat he or she incorrectly pays for the low-cost beverage. Suchdeception is deleterious to both the vendor and consumer as the lossessustained by the store must often be made up with higher prices that allmust pay.

Another disadvantage associated with self-service beverage dispensingarrangements is the likelihood of a store clerk charging a consumer thewrong price. After a consumer verbally identifies the beverage dispensedinto a container to a store clerk, the clerk must often manually enterthe correct price into the register. There is a substantial likelihoodthat a clerk may enter the price erroneously, either inadvertently orintentionally.

Still further disadvantages include consumers drinking all or a portionof their beverage while they are still in the store and then improperlyrefilling their container before visiting the register to pay. When thishappens, the consumers are essentially getting some or their entirebeverage at the expense of the store owner. In response, a store ownermay then raise the cost of beverages for all purchasers.

Finally, self-service beverage dispensing arrangements make it difficultto track inventory of particular beverages or to track consumer orseasonal trends that may be tied to particular beverages. However, itwould be advantageous to a store to accurately track inventory andtrends so that the store can be better prepared to meet the needs of itscustomers while not wasting unnecessary financial resources.

It is known in the art to identify and track particular beverages orcontainers by fastening certain indicia to or printing indicia on a cupor container. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,153 to Gerling et al.titled “Measuring and Dispensing System for Solid Dry FlowableMaterials” discloses a sensor that reads a sensor chip on the containerwhen the sensor chip is appropriately aligned with the sensor.Similarly, U.S. Publication No. 2005/0029287 to Mobbs titled “BeverageDispensing System” discloses a machine sensor that recognizes a barcodemarked on a container when the container is situated such that thebarcode is in view of the sensor. In Gerling et al., Mobbs, and otherdisclosures of such systems, the container must be placed in a specifiedposition and aligned in a specific way with a scanning and dispensingmachine so that the machine can recognize the marking, chip, or barcodeassociated with the container.

It has been found that consumers have had difficulty with these types ofidentification or tracking devices because it is often difficult toprecisely place the container in position relative to the scanning anddispensing machine. Often, even when a consumer manages to accuratelyplace the container in such a device, the container can be bumped orsubsequently moved by the consumer, the force of the beverage beingdispensed into the container, or another force that alters the alignmentof the container with the machine. In these systems, when the containeris not precisely aligned, the scanning and dispensing machine will oftennot recognize the container and will not dispense the desired beverage.This can cause great frustration to both consumers and store personnelattempting to assist consumers.

Accordingly, systems and methods have been developed in an attempt toaddress the frustrations consumers face when trying to precisely align acontainer with a scanning and dispensing machine. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 7,083,093 to Brown titled “Method and Apparatus for Vending aContainerized Liquid Product Utilizing an Automatic Self-Service RefillSystem” discloses a machine that includes a turntable on which acontainer with marking indicia is placed. When a container is placed onthe turntable, the turntable can rotate until a scanner associated withthe machine reads the marking indicia on the container. That is, theturntable can rotate until the container is properly aligned withrespect to the machine and its scanner.

The machine disclosed in Brown also presents several disadvantages.First, such a machine can be more expensive to manufacture and thereforeto purchase. Typically a complex machine is more expensive to maintainrelative to traditional self-service beverage dispensing machinesbecause, among other reasons, the movable parts of the turntable andsupporting machinery are more expensive to manufacture and are moreprone to breakdown and the concomitant replacement and repair expenses.Second, a container placed on the turntable is more likely to spill orbecome misaligned with the beverage dispenser when the turntable is inmotion. Clearly, it is preferable that a self-service dispensing machinebe inexpensive to manufacture and maintain and not predisposed to spillbeverages.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,732 to Nelson titled “Beverage Dispenser With aReader for Size Indicia on a Serving Container” discloses a bar codereader that reads a bar code printed on a container. Multiple bar codescan be printed on the container at several locations to make it easierto properly align the container with the machine and an associated barcode reader. However, a consumer must still work to ensure properalignment and, as explained above, this can at times be a difficult andsometimes frustrating task. Additionally, the aesthetic design of acontainer with multiple bar codes printed thereon may not be desirableor preferable. There is thus a continuing, ongoing need for an improvedbeverage identification system and method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a container forcollecting liquid dispensed from a dispensing machine is providedwherein the container includes a receptacle and annular barcode indicia.The receptacle can be defined by interiors of a base and an annular walland can the have an open end and a closed end. The annular barcodeindicia can extend around an exterior surface of the annular wall andcan be centered around a generally vertical axis of the container.

In preferred embodiments, the annular barcode can extend around at leastone of a top, middle, or bottom portion of the annular wall. In otherembodiments, the annular barcode can extend around substantially theentire vertical length of the annular wall. The annular barcode indiciacan contain information related to at least one of container size,appropriate container contents, or pricing information. The annularbarcode indicia can be printed on the exterior surface of the containeror be removably affixed to the exterior surface of the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for usinga container is also provided, including the step of placing thecontainer in a dispensing area of a dispensing machine. The containermay have annular barcode indicia extending around an exterior of thecontainer and centered around a generally vertical axis of thecontainer. The method further includes the step of having the annularbarcode indicia scanned and evaluated by the dispensing machine, andreceiving liquid in the container from the dispensing machine if andonly if the container is determined to be appropriate for use with thedispensing machine based on the evaluation of the scanned annularbarcode indicia. The barcode indicia may be scanned regardless of therotational orientation of the container.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a container forcollecting liquid dispensed from a dispensing machine is provided,wherein the container includes a receptacle and annular barcode indicia.The receptacle can be defined by interiors of a base and an annular walland can the have an open end and a closed end. The annular barcodeindicia are circumferentially placed around the middle portion of thecontainer and are substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples of objects, features and attendant advantages of thepresent invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomesbetter understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a beverage dispensing machine andassociated container made in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a beverage dispensing machinemade in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an elevational view of a container with annular barcodeindicia on a bottom portion thereof in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3B is an elevational view of a container with annular barcodeindicia on a top portion thereof in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3C is an elevational view of a container with annular barcodeindicia along the entire vertical length of the container in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D is an elevational view of a container with annular barcodeindicia on a middle portion thereof and a logo incorporated in theindicia in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of dispensing a beverage inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein indetail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention. It is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention include a system and method thatuse annular bar code indicia extending around the exterior surface of acup or container to identify the type and quantity of beverageassociated with that container. In a preferred embodiment, the bar codeindicia can contain information related to the type of beverage to bedispensed into the container, the amount of beverage to be dispensedinto the container, the cost of the beverage in the container, or anyone or more of these parameters in combination, for example.Accordingly, the present invention can provide a system and method forautomatically recognizing the type and quantity of beverage to bedispensed and confirming to customers and store personnel that thebeverage being purchased is in fact the same beverage that was dispensedinto the container.

A scanner or reader incorporated in an associated beverage dispensingmachine is provided to read the indicia on the container and use theinformation contained therein to dispense the appropriate amount of aparticular beverage. At checkout, a store clerk or cashier can use aseparate machine to scan the indicia on the container and automaticallygenerate and input the price of the beverage into a cash register orother device used to complete a purchase.

Because the barcode indicia in embodiments of the present invention areannular and can extend around the exterior surface of a container, theassociated scanner in the dispensing machine can read the indiciaregardless of the container and indicia's rotational orientationrelative to the scanner. That is, as long as the container is orientedwith the open end upwards, the rotation of the container and indiciarelative to the scanner is irrelevant to the scanner's ability to detectand read the indicia.

Since the associated scanner can read the indicia regardless of therotation of the cup when the cup is inserted into the dispensingmachine, a customer can be provided with a beverage, as explained indetail below, without having to experiment with the cup or machine, readdetailed instructions, or seek assistance from store personnel. This canreduce frustration that some customers encounter when trying to alignthe indicia with the scanner to activate the beverage dispensingmachine. Because the indicia cannot be misaligned with the scanner aslong as the open end of the container is oriented upwards, thelikelihood that a container will be misaligned with a scanner is reducedif not completely eliminated.

A beverage dispensing machine in accordance with embodiments of thepresent invention can include software, control circuitry, and aprogrammable processor to operate the dispensing machine and scanner andto cause the machine to lock and unlock as explained below. In this way,if a scanner associated with the machine detects acceptable barcodeindicia, the control circuitry, associated with the machine can unlockthe machine and cause the machine to dispense the appropriate amount andtype of beverage. Conversely, if the scanner detects unacceptablebarcode indicia or no indicia at all, control circuitry can cause themachine to lock and not dispense any beverage.

In association with the scanner, software, control circuitry, andprogrammable processor of the present invention, barcode indiciacontaining information on quantity and type of beverage can prevent aconsumer from using a container that is not intended for a particulartype or quantity of beverage by not distributing an incorrect beveragein response to particular indicia. Furthermore, systems and methods ofthe present invention can prevent customers of a store from attemptingto pass off one beverage for another and thereby misinforming storepersonnel of the type and quantity of beverage dispensed. The method andsystem can also prevent unauthorized or partial refills of beverages bynot dispensing beverages in response to previously used or inappropriatebarcode. Barcode indicia containing information on pricing associatedwith a particular type and quantity of a beverage can eliminate orreduce errors made by store personnel in entering the price forparticular a particular beverage.

Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention can providestores with an improved method for tracking inventory of particularbeverages or tracking consumer or seasonal trends that may be tied toparticular beverages. For example, software associated with the beveragedispensing machine can track the amount and type of beverages sold sothat accurate statistics can be generated on a daily, weekly, or monthlybasis, for example. When barcode indicia is scanned at either thedispensing machine or the register, the amount and type of beveragedispensed or being purchased could be entered into a tracking database.Generated statistics can be used by store personnel or owners todetermine types and quantities in stock and to be ordered or todetermine worthwhile promotions that are likely to enhance sales.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary beverage identification system 10made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is shown.The system 10 can include a beverage dispensing machine 16, a dispenser24, and a scanner 18. A cup or container 14 can be used in connectionwith the machine 16 to collect the liquid dispensed from the dispenser24, and the container 14 can include annular barcode indicia 12 on theexterior thereof. It is to be understood that the machine 16, dispenser24, and scanner 18 shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary and a variety ofbeverage dispensing machines, dispensers, containers, and scanningmechanisms as known by those of skill in the art can be used inconnection with the present beverage identification system.

The scanner 18 can be located adjacent to the dispensing area 20 of themachine 16, and containers 14 can be positioned in the dispensing area20 so as to be filled with liquid from the dispenser 24. The scanner 18can be orthogonally oriented relative to the dispensing area 20 so thatwhen a container 14 is placed in the dispensing area 20, the scanner 18projects a generally horizontal beam 22 towards the barcode indicia 12on the container 14. In this manner, the scanner 18 can read the barcodeindicia 12 causing elements of the system to decipher the informationassociated therewith.

As shown in FIG. 1, the barcode indicia 12, in embodiments of thepresent invention, can be annular and situated on an exterior surface ofthe container 12. The barcode indicia 12 could be printed on theexterior of the container 12 or removably or fixedly attached theretousing a label or a sleeve, for example.

The annular barcode indicia 12 can be centered around a generallyvertical axis of the container. The arrangement of the barcode indicia12 can allow the scanner 18 to read the indicia 12 irrespective of theof the container's rotational orientation 14 relative to the scanner 18.That is, the barcode indicia 12 can be read regardless of the rotationof the container 14 when it is placed in the dispensing area 20 as longas the container is placed with its open end facing upwards.

It is to be understood that the barcode indicia 12 shown in FIG. 1 ismerely exemplary and the indicia can be located at any height along thevertical axis of the container 14. As seen in FIG. 1, the indicia 12 arecircumferentially placed around the middle portion of the container 14.However, the annular indicia 12 can be located around a bottom portionof the container 14 as seen in FIG. 3A or around a top portion of thecontainer 14 as seen in FIG. 3B or any combination thereof. Similarly,the scanner 18 can be located at a variety of different positions andcan have a variety of different dimensions to allow for reading theindicia on containers placed in the dispensing area. The size andplacement of the scanner 18 as shown in FIG. 1 are merely exemplary.

In embodiments of the present invention, the annular barcode indicia 12can be located on substantially the entire vertical length of thecontainer 14: from the top end to the bottom end thereof as seen in FIG.3C. Similarly, the scanner 18 can have an effective reading width suchthat the scannable area extends the entire length of the wall in thedispensing area 20.

In other embodiments, a scanner 18 can search for the annular indicia 12by traversing up and down on an axis generally perpendicular to thecentral vertical axis of the container. In this embodiment, the scanner18 can search and find the indicia 12 no matter where along the heightof the container 14 the indicia 12 are placed.

In still further embodiments, containers 14 containing barcode indicia12 can also have wording, markings, or logos thereon or applied thereto.The wording, markings, or logos could be on areas of the container withno barcode indicia or, wording, markings, or logos could be incorporatedinto the barcode indicia as seen in FIG. 3D. Incorporating a logo intoor onto barcode indicia can make the container aesthetically pleasing tocustomers while still making the indicia functional to the store and thedispensing machine.

The barcode indicia 12 can represent or be encoded with informationrelated to the container on which the indicia are printed as well as thebeverage to be dispensed therein. The indicia can represent informationor data about the size of the associated container, the type and natureof beverages that are appropriate for dispensing in the associatedcontainer, the appropriate amount of liquid that can be dispensed in theassociated container, pricing information for beverages that can bedispensed in the associated container, and the like all withoutlimitation. For example, a 16-ounce coffee cup can have differentindicia than a 20-ounce cup of cola, which can have different indiciathan a 36-ounce frozen beverage. It is to be understood that the typesof information or data represented by or embedded in the barcode indiciaare not limitations of the present invention.

Additionally, the indicia can provide a safety check for consumers. Forexample, certain containers might only be suitable for cold beveragesbecause the container might be incapable of retaining its physicalintegrity in the presence of a very hot beverage. This coded informationconcerning the type of appropriate beverage or capacity of the containercan be included in the barcode indicia on the container and, when readby the scanner, prevent the dispensing of a hot beverage into acontainer designated only for cold beverages. Accordingly, thelikelihood of the accidental scalding of a customer can be reduced ifnot eliminated.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of the beveragedispensing machine 16 is shown. As seen in FIG. 16, the machine 16 caninclude a programmable processor 26, software 28, and associated controlcircuitry 30. In methods of using the beverage identification system 10of FIG. 1, a user can place a container 14 with the annular barcodeindicia 12 in the dispensing area 20, and the scanner 18 can read theindicia 12. The scanner 18 can send the read indicia 12 to the controlcircuitry 30. Using the software 28, the programmable processor 26 canevaluate the indicia 12 and direct the control circuitry 30 to dispenseonly the appropriate type and amount of liquid that corresponds to thebarcode indicia 12.

The programmable processor 26 can lock the machine 16 to prevent it fromdispensing any liquid if a cup 12 without barcode indicia is determinedto be in the dispensing area 20 or if an improper cup 12 is being usedin connection with the machine 16. In embodiments of the presentinvention, the programmable processor can send commands to the controlcircuitry 30 to visually or audibly alert a consumer of any errors orirregularities. Appropriate alerting devices are known to those havingordinary skill in the art.

A method 100 of dispensing a beverage in accordance with one embodimentof the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. A user can select anappropriate container in 110 such that the selected container should beappropriate for being filled with a desired type and quantity ofbeverage. The user can place the selected container in the dispensingarea in 120, and then the programmable processor, in association withthe scanner, can determine if there are any barcode indicia on thecontainer in 130. If there are barcode indicia, the scanner can locatethe indicia in 140, scan the indicia in 150 and the programmableprocessor, in association with the control circuitry and software, canevaluate the scanned indicia in 160. If the container is deemedappropriate in 170, the control circuitry, in association with theprogrammable processor and software, can cause a proper amount of theappropriate beverage to be dispensed into the container in 180, and thetype and quantity of beverage dispensed can be tracked in 190.

However, the container could be determined inappropriate if, forexample, the container is not designated for receiving a particular typeof beverage. If the container is deemed inappropriate in 170, thecontrol circuitry could lock the machine in 200 and notify the user thatan improper cup is being used and/or direct the user to an appropriatecup in 210.

Appropriate cups or containers for particular beverages or forparticular machines could be designated by color, location, size or thelike, for example, all without limitation. Accordingly, a store couldhave one type of container designated for higher priced products andanother type of container designated for lower priced products, forexample. In embodiments of the present invention, a beverage will onlybe dispensed by placing an appropriately marked container in thedispensing area of the machine; placing any other container in thedispensing area will result in no beverage being dispensed to theinappropriate container.

Once a container has been appropriately filled by a beverage dispensingmachine, a user can take the filled container to the cash register forcheckout. The barcode indicia can be scanned at the register to generatethe price corresponding to the beverage in the container.

Systems and methods in accordance with the present invention can be usedin connection with all different types of beverages, including beveragesthat are sold in the same size of container but at different pricepoints. For example, a beverage dispensing machine in accordance withthe present invention can dispense barista-style coffees and lattes ormore functional beverages with added vitamins, fiber, omega-3, or otheringredients that have traditionally been difficult to manage in knownself-service arrangements.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus or method illustrated herein isintended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover bythe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope ofthe claims.

1. A container for collecting liquid dispensed from a dispensing machinecomprising: a receptacle defined by interiors of a base and an annularwall, the receptacle having an open end and a closed end; and annularbarcode indicia extending around an exterior surface of the annular walland centered around a generally vertical axis of the container.
 2. Thecontainer of claim 1, wherein the annular barcode extends around atleast one of a top, middle, or bottom portion of the annular wall. 3.The container of claim 1, wherein the annular barcode extends aroundsubstantially the entire vertical length of the annular wall.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 1, where in the annular barcode indicia containinformation related to at least one of container size, appropriatecontainer contents, or pricing information.
 5. The container of claim 1,wherein the annular barcode indicia are printed on the exterior surfaceof the container.
 6. The container of claim 1, wherein the annularbarcode indicia are removably affixed to the exterior surface of thecontainer.
 7. A method for using the container of claim 1, comprisingthe steps of: placing the container in a dispensing area of a dispensingmachine, the container having annular barcode indicia extending aroundan exterior surface of the container and centered around a generallyvertical axis of the container; having the annular barcode indiciascanned and evaluated by the dispensing machine, the barcode indiciabeing scanned regardless of the rotational orientation of the container;and receiving liquid in the container from the dispensing machine if andonly if the container is determined to be appropriate for use with thedispensing machine based on an evaluation of the scanned annular barcodeindicia.
 8. The method for using a container described in claim 7,wherein the evaluation of the scanned annular barcode indicia furthercomprises determining whether any barcode indicia are detected.
 9. Themethod for using a container described in claim 7, wherein theevaluation of the scanned annular barcode indicia further comprisesdetermining whether the container is appropriate for holding aparticular type and amount of liquid.
 10. The method for using acontainer described in claim 7, wherein the step of having the annularbarcode indicia scanned and evaluated further comprises having theannular barcode indicia located before scanning.
 11. The method forusing a container described in claim 7, further comprising the step ofhaving the annular barcode indicia scanned at a register to generate theprice corresponding to the beverage in the container.
 12. A containerfor collecting liquid dispensed from a dispensing machine comprising: areceptacle defined by interiors of a base and an annular wall, thereceptacle having an open end and a closed end; and annular barcodeindicia circumferentially placed around the middle portion of thecontainer, wherein the annular barcode indicia are substantiallyperpendicular to the vertical axis.
 13. The container of claim 12,wherein the annular barcode indicia extend around substantially theentire vertical length of the annular wall.
 14. The container of claim12, where in the annular barcode indicia contain information related toat least one of container size, appropriate container contents, orpricing information.
 15. The container of claim 12, wherein the annularbarcode indicia are printed on the exterior surface of the container.16. The container of claim 12, wherein the annular barcode indicia areremovably affixed to the exterior surface of the container.